Search warrant, Barstow drug bust nets 4 arrests

Wednesday

Oct 19, 2016 at 10:02 AMOct 19, 2016 at 10:02 AM

Jose Quintero Staff Writer @DD_jquintero

BARSTOW — Authorities arrested four people on suspicion of multiple drug-related offenses after serving a search warrant and allegedly finding methamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana at a home in Barstow near an elementary school.

Barstow police served the search warrant at a home in the 900 block of Carson Street, which is within 1,000 feet of Cameron Elementary School, at 10:15 a.m. on Oct. 14. The officers contacted and detained Eugene Antoine Whitmore, Carnell Roydell Avery, Monique Ryquelle Martin and Quentrel Devonte Maston, who “were all associated with the residence being searched.” Officers said they found methamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana and a digital scale during their search.

“The quantities and packaging of the methamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana were consistent with the sales of these items,” police said in a statement.

Police also found a loaded .45-caliber pistol, later found to be reported stolen out of Victorville, near the illegal narcotics. Police said the gun was stolen during a residential burglary on Oct. 1, 2014 in Victorville.

Two boxes of ammunition in different calibers, a projector stolen from Central High School and other items suspected of being taken during recent local burgalaries also were found in the home.

“These items have been retained by the Barstow Police Department pending further investigation,” police said.

Whitmore, 24, of Barstow, was booked on suspicion of possession of controlled substances for sale, selling narcotics within 1,000 feet of a school, possessing marijuana for sale, keep place to sell/etc. controlled substances, possession of a controlled substance while armed, possessing a controlled substance for sale, conspiracy to commit a crime and knowingly buying, selling or receiving stolen property. Whitmore also was booked separately on suspicion of obstructing an executive officer, booking records show.

Avery, 26, of Hawthorne, was booked on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance for sale, selling narcotics within 1,000 feet of a school, possessing marijuana for sale, keep place to sell/etc. controlled substances, possession of a controlled substance while armed and conspiracy to commit a crime. Avery was also booked separately on suspicion of knowingly buying, selling or receiving stolen property.

Avery is a convicted felon and was charged with attempted murder in 2011 but had the charged dismissed after pleading no contest to assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm or by means of force likely to cause great bodily harm, court records show.

Martin, 18, of Barstow, was booked on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance for sale, selling narcotics within 1,000 feet of a school, possessing marijuana for sale, keep place to sell/etc. controlled substances, possession of a controlled substance while armed, possessing a controlled substance for sale, conspiracy to commit a crime and knowingly buying, selling or receiving stolen property.

Maston, 25, who lives at the home, was booked on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance for sale, selling narcotics within 1,000 feet of a school, possessing marijuana for sale, keep place to sell/etc. controlled substances, possession of a controlled substance while armed, possessing a controlled substance for sale, conspiracy to commit a crime and knowingly buying, selling or receiving stolen property. However, Maston was the only suspect to be released from custody after posting $200,000 bail on Saturday, booking records show.

Martin and Avery were being held at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga each in lieu of $200,000, booking records show. Whitmore was being held at High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto in lieu of $200,000 bail, booking records show.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call Cpl. Jose Barrientos or Officer Matthew Helms at 760-256-2211. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the WeTip hotline at 800-782-7436 or visit www.wetip.com.

Jose Quintero may be reached at 760-955-5332 or JQuintero@DesertDispatch.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DD_JQuintero.